FIFA gives national associations September deadline to accept its $20m ‘bribe’
July 29 – FIFA has given the 211 member organizations that make up world football until September 19 – or 53 days – to sign up for its deeply controversial plans to sell part of the World Cup to private equity for $4.2 billion.
In a letter signed by Infantino and seen by Insideworldfootball, the world governing body has set a deadline of September to respond to plans to privatize the World Cup, through a new commercial entity (FIFA Forward Enterprise -FFE) with a value of $20 billion, and to provide member organizations with an additional $12 million in development funds to the $8 million already guaranteed, for the upcoming World Cup cycle.
Infantino calls the plans “the next natural step” and promises $20 million in development funding starting in 2027 for the 2027 to 2030 budget cycle, with figures rising to $22 million for the 2031-34 cycle, and $24 million for the 2034-38 cycle.
Infantino also emphasizes that the one-time payment of $20 million “is only for those member organizations that wish to participate, by their decision taken on September 19…”
A senior source who spoke on condition of anonymity called the deadline “bribery”.
If member organizations do not agree, FIFA will maintain its current Priority Program grant at $4 million per year, despite the new funding being based on all FIFA memberships and their participation in FIFA competitions.
Infantino writes: “In total in the next cycle starting on 1 January 2027, each Member of the Association will have the opportunity to reach $40 million per Member of the Association under this proposal. Over a period of 12 years, of 3 cycles, this will represent cash payments of about $86m ($40m + c. $22m + c.) compared to the period I received of $23 million.”
The FIFA boss says the decision to implement the FIFA Forward Enterprise will be taken democratically by the membership, requiring the support of more than half of the members and the express approval of the FIFA Council. He also emphasized that the proposal was written by Thrive Capital, which was presented by Joshua Kushner, Jared Kushner’s brother who is the son-in-law of the US president Donald Trump, and that many investors will be included when FIFA takes control.
However, to make room for the new investors that Infantino wants in the future more equity will have to be issued from FFE.
Finally, Infantino explains that there will be no change in Fifa’s management style, but if there is no ownership of its commercial rights and much reduced control, it would be a very thin organization.
Infantino’s role as the proposed commissioner, with a larger salary beyond his current $6 million a year package, is not being discussed. Infantino currently pays himself more annually than any of his national member associations that receive FIFA grants.
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